Ralph Thompson reminisces on start of SVVS
President Derick Graham is one of the foundersPlease Click on
the thumbnail photos to see full size pictures

Guest Speaker Tom Stimpson gives an informative and moving speech
on his experiences and
subsequent mental problems following combat service in Afghanistan,
Falklands and Iraq.

Publicity Officer Tony Russell thanks Tom Stimpson and hands over
couple of bottles of plonk
Tom Stimpson then turns the raffle drum and draws out
the winning tickets Please Click on
the thumbnail photos to see full size pictures

Reigate Manor Hotel was again the venue for the
2018 Annual SVVS Dinner and was attended by 73 people. This was our 50th
Anniversary Dinner so it was an important milestone in our history. The
event was celebrated by our Publicity Officer Tony Russell giving a pre-dinner
talk on the formation and history of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society.
Two of our founder members attended, one being our President Derrick
Graham and the other being Ralph Thompson, who was awarded the
Presidents Cup for Services to the Society. Also were present were a
number of our early and long-standing members. Our 'court photographer' Malcolm
Bailey, with historic photos from Mike Gorman and others, had prepared a
pictorial display on entry to the dining hall of many historic photos
showing the development of the SVVS throughout the years.

The general organisational aspects of the Dinner from the SVVS side
were handled as normal by Mrs and Mr Chairman, Julie and Bozi
Mohacek, who were grateful that all went without a hitch. The Hotel
staff were very friendly and efficient and were almost unnoticeable by
their super efficiency! Not much can be faulted with
the meal and the service. The meal consisted of a classic Prawn Coctail
with lemon and brown bread and butter; Roast Loin of Pork, mustard
mash potato; and Chocolate Fudge Brownie, vanilla ice cream, raspberry
coulis. All followed by Coffee and Mints.
Vegetarian options and special dietary meal options were provided.
Quality and economy wines were available to purchase beforehand at
the bar. A venue that can be much recommended !

It has become traditional that we hold a raffle at the dinner, so Mrs
Chairman Julie and her ladies Janet, Thelma and Gosia went on an
inter-course walk-about with their raffle tickets and managed to wangle
some dosh from the helpless Members towards the Speaker's Charity.

After the superb meal, Master of Ceremonies Tony Russell announced the
Chairman Bozi Mohacek, who subjected the audience to another of his
'shaggy dog joke stories', - which he had practiced previously on
his dogs during their walkies. It was pleasant to note that the audience
laughed more than the dogs!

The Chairman then offered thanks to Tony Oakes for the time
and effort he had devoted to collecting all the money and sending out
the tickets for this Dinner, to Chris Cuss who took on the politically sensitive job of running
the "table plan", to Malcolm Bailey for
wandering about the hall all evening being the Court photographer, and to Tony Russell for being the Master of Ceremonies.

One of the other features of the Dinner is the presentation of SVVS
Trophies. We have four, three cups and a glass trophy: The Presidentís
Cup, The Chairmanís Cup, The Hero Cup, and The Quiz Trophy. These are
all held for one year and then returned. The recipients name is engraved
on the plaques on the base of the cups. The Presidentís Cup is awarded
to the person chosen by the Committee who recently or in the past had
provided Outstanding Services to the Society. The Chairmanís Cup is
awarded to the winner of the Annual Treasure Hunt. The Hero Cup is
presented to the person again chosen by the Committee who has undertaken
ďAn interesting Historical Car Restoration ProjectĒ, and the Quiz
Trophy is presented to the winner of the Annual SVVS Quiz.

SVVS Cups and accolades went to: The Chairman's Cup was awarded to
Ian & Christine Scott, cup accepted by hubby Ian; The Hero
Cup was awarded to Will How ; the Quiz Award to Tony Penn and
accepted on his behalf by Nicholas
Woollett; and The President's Cup to Ralph Thompson for 'Outstanding
Services to the Society'.

As to the Speaker, we were lucky to have an enlightening and interesting
talk by Guest Speaker Sergeant Tom Stimpson MBE who gave an
informative and moving speech on his experiences and subsequent mental
problems following combat service in Afghanistan, Falklands and Iraq.
The raffle raised £326 which was split between his two chosen charities
COMBAT STRESS and HATS OFF FOR BOOTSIE. Well done Julie and the raffle girls!

MC Tony Russell thanked the Speaker for fascinating talk and presented
him with usual couple of bottles of Plonk. To our surprise the
Speaker then pulled out of his pocket the required subscription money to
become a member of the SVVS !!